Past Researchers
Elissa S. Wampler, M.S.
Elissa joined the Hoddle lab in June 2007 as a masters candidate, and graduated in 2009. Elissa's MS thesis was entitled: "Vibrational Communication and Incipient Speciation in Blue-Green Sharpshooters, Graphocephala atropunctata"
Elizabeth A. Boyd, PhD
Elizabeth (Betsy) Boyd investigated the risk posed to the native smoke-tree, blue-green, and green sharpshooters in Southern California habitats via the introduction and establishment of the exotic mymarid parasitoids (Gonatocerus sp.) released for control of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar). Additionally, she classified the native parasitoid fauna of these indigenous sharpshooters and developed novel methods for host specificity testing of insects used in biological control of arthropods. Dr. Boyd graduated with her Ph.D. in June 2007. She now has a faculty position at California State University, Chico.
Leigh J. Pilkington, PhD
Dr. Pilkington contributed to the Hoddle laboratory from April 2004 to November 2005 as a postdoctoral scholar. His research was centered on the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar), and its Mymarid wasp biological control agents Gonatocerus ashmeadi, G. fasciatus and G. triguttatus. Dr. Pilkington now works for the Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales, Australia